Leaving Ports

[sigsoho]

Ok horrible 1st cruiser question, but trying to figure out excursions.

 

On average, what time should we be back on the port before the ship leaves port?

 

Example: Online a cruise ship is scheduled to depart at 3 pm. Is that the time I need to be onboard or time I should be at the port?

 

I understand the schedule may change and we will get an iternary day before, but i would like to pre-book my excursions.

 

thanks,

[mfanderso]

3:00 is when the ship leaves. You have to be back on the ship 30 minutes prior to sailing time

[DaytonCruiser]

Try to plan it so you are back in the vicinity of the ship 45min-1hr before the ship departs. Most ports have a shopping area, which you can look around before getting back onboard.

[cali-croozer]

Refer to your ship's daily newsletter. It will tell you when you need to get back on the ship.......don't go by the sailing time or you could be waving goodbye to your ship!:eek: As a general though, like the others said, it will be about 30 to 45 minutes before sailing.

[kitty9]

And don't forget, if you're at a port where you tender to the ship, you have to be back to the tender point much earlier than if the ship is docked. The last tender usually leaves 45 minutes before the ship raised anchor.

[springtxbill]

You have to be on board 30 minutes prior to departure, but I would plan on being back to the port an hour before departure at the latest to give you a cushion. :)

[Ziggy7]

And dont forget to use the ships time, not the Ports time, they could be an hour off and you miss the ship! :)

[Big Al B.]

How true, check out the story in this thread. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=136382

[TheWog]

definitely be in the area at least one hour prior to the ship leaving. Especially if tendering.